Molecular and cellular mechanism of fertilization in angiosperms
被子植物受精作用的分子和细胞生物学机制

The double fertilization characteristic of angiosperms involves two separate fusion events. The process occurs deep within maternal tissues, and therefore, has been a particularly difficult field in the study of sexual plant reproduction. In recent years, the successful construction of cDNA libraries of gametes in several species, the development of in vitro experimental systems, and the application of new molecular and genetic approaches have thrown new light on the field for deeper insight into the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the fertilization process. In the present review, we focus on some of the recent advances and some key developmental events revealed in the fertilization process, including the role of the egg apparatus in guiding pollen tube orientation, sperm cell movement to their targeting cells, interaction between gametes, egg cell activation, and onset of embryogenesis and endosperm development.